April '10 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Congratulates Presidential Scholars

April 29, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today congratulated six outstanding Nevada high school seniors who have been selected as semifinalists in the 2010 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

The six Nevada semifinalists include:

* Ms. Sara Kantor, The Adelson Upper School, Las Vegas;
* Mr. William B. Kostan, Green Valley High School, Henderson;
* Ms. Heidi H. Lim, Clark High School, Las Vegas;
* Mr. Sean A. McClelland, Incline High School, Incline Village;
* Ms. Julia G. Miller, Douglas High School, Minden; and
* Mr. Seth C. Thompson, Coronado High School, Henderson.

“These exemplary young Nevadans are the future leaders of Nevada,” Governor Gibbons said, “Their accomplishments are a credit not only to them, but also to their schools and hardworking teachers.”

Established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors distinguished seniors from around the country. Approximately 560 semifinalists have been named, and up to 141 of them will be named U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Governor Declines Administration Of High Risk Pool

April 28, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius opting out of state operation of a high risk insurance pool as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, otherwise known as the health care ‘reform’ bill.

Under the bill, the State of Nevada would have been provided with $61 million from the federal government to operate the pool. Estimates prepared by Nevada’s Health Care Reform Implementation Team, chaired by Nevada Department of Health & Human Services Director Mike Willden, project that $61 million will only allow approximately 2,900 high risk individuals to be served. Nevada’s uninsured population is more than 500,000. It is estimated there may be as many as 100,000 individuals eligible for the temporary high risk pool.

“Initial planning to implement health care reform has already cost Nevadans over $55,000 in staff time, diverting our work away from our core mission of serving Nevadans during this recession,” Gibbons said. “Ongoing planning costs of nearly $22,000 per week are expected with costs only increasing in the future. That’s before we even get to the $574 million in additional Medicaid costs. Harry Reid’s idea of reform might be breaking the backs and bank accounts of hard working Nevadans, but it is not mine. I will continue to fight against this unconstitutional and costly law.”

Governor Gibbons’ letter to Secretary Sebelius (pdf)

Governor Names New Member To Gaming Commission

April 28, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today announced the appointment of Randolph Townsend to the Nevada Gaming Commission. Senator Townsend served in the Nevada State Senate from 1983 to 2010, where he chaired for many years the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. As part of his legislative service, Townsend has served on the Committee on Government Affairs and as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Taxation.

“Randolph Townsend has played a key role in policy development in Nevada for many years,” Governor Gibbons said, “The Gaming Commission and the citizens of Nevada will benefit from his extensive knowledge of business and industry.”

“I look forward to this new opportunity to continue my public service to the citizens of Nevada,” Townsend said, “The gaming industry plays a significant role in Nevada’s economy. I am honored to be chosen to help shape gaming policy for Nevada’s future economic prosperity.”

Senator Townsend’s appointment is effective upon his resignation from the Nevada State Senate, expected today or tomorrow. Townsend replaces Radha Chanderraj, whose term expires this month.

The Nevada Gaming Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor who serve in a part-time capacity. The primary responsibilities of the Commission include acting on the recommendations of the State Gaming Control Board in licensing matters and ruling in work permit appeal cases. The Commission is the final authority on licensing matters, having the ability to approve, restrict, limit, condition, deny, revoke, or suspend any gaming license. Additionally, the Commission is charged with the responsibility of promulgating regulations to implement and enforce the State laws governing gaming.

Governor Offers Condolences And Prayers To Family And Friends Of Nye County Sheriff Deputy Killed While On Duty

April 27, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today offered condolences on his behalf and on behalf of the people of the State of Nevada to the family, friends and colleagues of Nye County Sheriff Deputy Ian M. Deutch. Deputy Deutch was killed during a brief gun fight with a crime suspect in Pahrump, Nevada on Monday night. Deutch had just returned to work with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office after serving a military tour in Afghanistan. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Nevada National Guard 221st Cavalry based in Las Vegas and had received numerous awards for his military service.

“This is a tragic reminder of how fragile life can be,” Governor Gibbons said, “Deputy Deutch is a true hero. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to his family during this time of deep grief.”

Governor Gibbons has ordered state flags lowered to half-staff this Saturday in honor of Deputy Deutch’s funeral services.

Governor Sends Letter To President Obama Asking For Action To Protect America’s Borders

April 27, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking that President Obama and his Administration do more to protect the borders of the United States. “I am respectfully asking the President to take action because the failure of his Administration to pay attention to the problems and crimes on our Nation’s borders puts all Nevadans and all Americans at risk”, Governor Gibbons said, “No state should be obligated to enforce federal immigration laws.” Governor Gibbons added, “The situation with Arizona’s immigration law would never have occurred if the Obama Administration would have done its duty to protect the borders of the United States.”

“The Obama Administration, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi often talk dotingly of immigration ‘reform’, but I believe our first priority should be border security, and that is a federal responsibility,” Governor Gibbons said, “No ‘reform’ is possible until we secure our borders.”

(Letter from Governor Jim Gibbons to President Obama)

Governor Calls For Obama Administration To Take Action On Illegal Immigration

Governor Gibbons: “This is a federal issue and this Administration
must take action now.”

April 26, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today demanded that President Barack Obama and his Administration take immediate steps to enforce federal immigration laws. “Guarding the borders of our great Nation is a federal responsibility that this Administration is ignoring,” Gibbons said, “Federal inaction is compelling states like Arizona to take state action and forcing state taxpayers to foot the bill.”

Recent statements from President Obama suggest he is trying to make immigration enforcement a political issue. “This President and this Administration, including Congressional Leaders Senator Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are shamelessly pandering for political gain, “Gibbons said, “These people should start acting like leaders and start enforcing federal laws”, Governor Gibbons said, “Instead, they blame others for their own ineffectiveness.”

Governor Gibbons noted the Administration is out of touch with society today. “Clearly the immigration system in this country is broken and is costing taxpayers billions of dollars,” Governor Gibbons said, “The Obama Administration must wake up and fix our immigration problems at the border.”

Gibbons believes the immigration laws in the United States must be modernized to reflect advancements in technology (facial recognition technology, biometric ID cards) and the changed world we live in today. “There are people crossing the border committing violent crimes and others who want to harm America through terrorism,” Gibbons said, “President Obama, Reid and Pelosi are ‘asleep at the switch’ and they must take action now or America families will continue to suffer.”